BUCHANAN — Redbud Area Ministries in Buchanan is experiencing a food donation shortage and is asking local communities to step up and contribute groceries to the pantry.

Jan Nowak-Walters, RAM’s executive director, said while they have not had to turn anyone at the pantry away, it is an issue that is leaving few food options for those who depend on it.

“It is summer and everybody is out boating and sun tanning and they are not thinking about food pantries,” Nowak-Walters said. “With kids home for the summer, food pantries are really strained.”

Nowak said the pantry received some donations from the recent Christmas in June food drive hosted by United Way of Southwest Michigan. However, with more than 500 people using the pantry per month, equating to roughly 4,000 pounds of food donations do not last long. 

“Our turnover is so incredibly fast that as soon as it goes in it seems to go out,” Nowak-Walters said.

Nowak-Walters said the donation shortage began about four weeks ago. She said the shelves are becoming barren and approximated that there is only about two weeks of food supplies  left.

“I don’t like when I see wood on our shelves,” Nowak-Walters said. “I like when they are full enough that I don’t see the wood deck.”

The pantry is 100 percent donations based and families in need are permitted to self-select food from the pantry once a month or more depending on the case.

While monetary donations are always accepted, Nowak-Walters said there a few pantry staples that would be helpful for people to donate, including canned meats, pasta and pasta sauces, mashed potatoes, boxed rice and hearty soups, like Progressive brand soups. The pantry also accepts fresh fruits and vegetables and with harvest right around the corner, Nowak-Walters encouraged those with an abundance of produce to donate it to the pantry.

“We would love to be that place that someone can drop off those extra tomatoes or zucchinis,” Nowak-Walters said. 

The next time they hit the grocery store, Nowak-Walters reminded people to keep those who face food insecurity in mind.

“It lifts your spirit to care for someone else,” Nowak-Walters said. “It’s powerful to know you are changing someone else’s life in the most fundamental way.”

Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours between 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday to Friday and 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Tax receipts are offered for donations.